Keeping your felines cool and hydrated this summer…

With this summer’s sporting bonanza well underway – from the Euros to Wimbledon and the Olympics – UK cat owners could have plenty of distractions to take their attention away from their four legged friends.

Reassuringly, a recent survey of over 1,000 pet owners conducted by pet product expert, PetSafe® brand, has found that our passion for pets comes before our love of sport.

Uncertainty crept in over whether pets should be put outside in warm weather – or kept indoors as 17 per cent said cats would be left outside as temperatures creep up to keep them cool.

9 out of 10 cat owners said they’ll put the needs of their cuddly companions first this summer, making sure their’ meals, hydration and exercise aren’t disrupted by the big games, BBQs, tennis or the Rio Olympics.

Wanting to do the ‘right thing’ for their pet over the summer months came across clearly in the study. However, once the elusive summer sun comes out, there was confusion amongst cat owners about what the ‘right thing’ actually is – particularly when it comes to keeping felines cool and hydrated.

While 48 per cent of pet owners give their cats fresh water every day, over two thirds (68 per cent) are unsure how much water their pets actually need to keep cool and hydrated.

Only 46 per cent admitted they couldn’t tell if their cat was dehydrated and common signs of dehydration were confused.

A staggering 67 per cent thought panting or sweating was a sign of dehydration, which is a common misconception and 36 per cent also incorrectly thought whining was a sign.

Symptoms of dehydration include lethargy, sunken eyes, and loss of appetite and depression. Another tell tale symptom is when pets’ gums lose moistness and become dry and sticky.

A spokesperson for the PetSafe® brand, Angela Critchley said: “It’s really encouraging to see that despite all the distractions taking place in people’s lives our cats still take top priority.

“What’s concerning is the lack of knowledge when it comes to pet hydration. Even loosing just 10% of the body’s water can have serious consequences for a cat, so it is vital to ensure owners can pick up the signals quickly to avoid putting their pets at risk.

“If pets are not adequately hydrated they cannot pant or sweat efficiently which means they can’t keep themselves cool and can over heat. The average cat weighing around 4.5kgs will need 0.3 litres of water a day to keep hydrated.”

She continues: “Simple measures such as leaving a number of water bowls in different areas in the house can help replenish hydration even if you’re not able to be in the home. If pets are outside it’s critical that they have access to shade and their water is kept in a cool place.”